I am the Roman Emperor Hadrian. I’m near death, so I decide to write a letter, recounting events about my life and my kingdom, to the man who will become my nephew one day, Marcus Aurelius. (“Memoirs of Hadrian” by Marguerite Yourcenar)

England this week. Exciting times with a king who is about to abdicate his throne for his twice divorced soul mate. Events are told from the perspective of the common people and how they felt not only about their king but about his choice of a "queen." World War II is at the doorstep, communism and fascism raising their ugly heads, civil war in Spain, and in the midst of it all history unfurls through the lives of people. "The People's King" by Susan Williams.